Fixo Third Hand

FIXO

Tool Review

Fixo Third Hand

by: Kevin Brant [ SGTRAM ]

Introduction

There is a new start up tool manufacture out there with a new tool that at first look could be a great tool for workbench, well it is a must have. I have been given the opportunity from Fixo to try out the prototype and I must say I am very impressed.

The third hand tool comes in its own case with two clips on a separating base.

Review

I have been given access from Fixo to try their new third hand prototype tool, and I am very thankful to Fixo for the opportunity as this is great tool. The tool consists of a molded plastic base with magnets underneath. On top of the base you find two metal balls with metal arms up to the metal clips. The idea of the tool is the metal balls swivel in there concave pocket any direction and angle you want, allowing for easy positioning for almost any need.

Getting the tool on my workbench, I had to give it a try right away. I am very impressed with the sturdiness of the tool, it feels solid and very well put together. The arms move with ease, and are very positionable. The tool has two arms at either end of the base, but the base can separate providing more flexibility in its use and size of material you might need to work on.

The clips hold very well and have a clear rubber-like coating that helps with the grip and protects the material you are working on. The clips also rotate to provide extra positioning for holding a part at any angle.

I am extremely impressed with the tool, the ease of use, the flexibility, and overall construction. Compared to other third hand tools on the market, with their inflexible bar, nuts and bolts positioning, the Fixo will meet almost every situation with ease. The size of the tool is also a great plus, it does not take up a lot of space on the workbench, and moves around the workbench with ease.

I ran the Fixo through a couple of tests, holding small parts, holding a fold on a photo-etched part ready glue, holding a part in place for gluing and allowing the glue to dry, and am very impressed with it.

At this time Fixo is a start-up and is looking to get the tool into production through crowd funding, you can learn more about that here

Conclusion

I am totally impressed with this tool, and after using it, could not be without it. The tool is very well constructed, easy to use, and most of all extremely useful on the workbench. I highly recommend this tool, and believe the uses are unlimited.

SUMMARY
Highs: Well build and extremely useful Lows: None that I could find Verdict: Highly recommended
	Percentage Rating 100%

Scale:		N/A
PUBLISHED:		Jul 23, 2014

NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
THIS REVIEWER:		88.35%
MAKER/PUBLISHER:		100.00%

DISCUSS THIS REVIEW

Our Thanks to Fixo!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Kevin Brant (SgtRam)
FROM: ONTARIO, CANADA

I am an IT Consultant and father, with a passion for plastic models. I mostly prefer 1/35 Armor and 1/48 Aircraft. My main interests are anything Canadian, as well as WW2 German and British Armor and Aircraft. I have been building models since I was a young kid, got away from it for awhile, but r...

Comments

catman31

Looks great, but a little complicated with the whole start-up venture thing. I hope they do well and wish them luck. Reminds me of product design projects we did back in art & design school.

JUL 23, 2014 - 03:14 AM

Vodnik

Interesting, but dead before it was really born... They have less than 500 euro of the required 20k euro. And their fundraising campaign ends in three days.

JUL 23, 2014 - 05:34 AM

Thudius

A 6 week campaign to raise 20k? Alrighty then. It looks like a neat concept and so on, but I can see why many are not jumping in on the fund me bandwagon. They'd have to sell a boat load of those just to cover molding costs. They'd be better off selling the design to someone else to produce before somebody in a country where patents and so forth are not taken seriously beat them to the punch. Kimmo

JUL 23, 2014 - 06:08 AM

Disith

nifty idea but as the others have said they are no where near their target and looking at their time table the end of July is the go no go decision and no offence they don't state what happens if they don't go ahead ie the money that po?

JUL 23, 2014 - 11:38 AM

SgtRam

I really hope it works out for them, this has to be one of the most handy tools I have used. This will be a definite on my workbench from now on. It it s great tool, and very well built.

JUL 23, 2014 - 11:40 AM

Disith

people donated usually I would think about donating but I'm just not comfortable with losing money with no hope of seeing a finished product or the money again my wife does that enough anyway I wish them the best of luck though and I really hope we see this in the shops in the future

JUL 23, 2014 - 11:43 AM

RobinNilsson

The rubbery coating on the clips/clamps seems like a good innovation. The rest is more or less similar to this "third hand":

Which can be found in this web-store: LINK The trouble with this type of tool is that they can not hold the item being worked on "solidly" enough. The grip is usually good enough for airbrushing but that is about all, at least in my experience .... I guess that the lack of interest in the fundraising is that too many who might have been interested know that similar tools already exist ..... / Robin

JUL 23, 2014 - 08:01 PM

SgtRam

I have the above mentioned third hand, and it is always tricky to get it set to hold intrigue pieces with both clasps are you constantly have to adjust and tighten. This tool from Fixo takes all that away, moves and adjusts extremely easily.

JUL 23, 2014 - 11:18 PM

seanmcandrews

the ball and socket does seem like it would be superior to the 3rd hand joint setup, maybe they should consider going to machined aluminum and eliminate or reduce those mold building costs. Sean

JUL 24, 2014 - 01:00 AM

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